Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2011 Melbury is precise, aromatic and finely cut, with stunning balance and tons of class. The 2011 is such an elegant wine. This clay-rich vineyard seems to drain quite well. The 2011 is in an absolutely great shape today. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint and white pepper linger.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The medium to full-bodied 2011 Melbury Proprietary Red Blend exhibits lots of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit, sweet tannin, an evolved, open-knit, friendly style, good purity and a long finish. Drink it now and over the next 10-15 years.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.